COMPLICATED.

CHAPTER 29

THE DISCUSSION IS OVER

​Leo. The boy I had "loved" from the very first moment, the one I always put above everything else, respected, and supported. And now, the person standing in front of me is a total stranger. Who has he become?
​It only took a second-one single but unforgivable mistake-to shatter the image I always had of him. I thought he was the one, that our "forever" was written in the stars, but after everything that happened with Nick, I am drowning in doubts. I'm starting to believe I was never truly in love with him. What I felt just a few minutes ago in Nick's arms... I had never experienced that before. It's all so confusing, complicated, and frightening. One thing is certain: Leo is no longer part of my life. He humiliated me, hurt me, and let me down; I've put up with enough of his toxicity. It's time to move on and for us to go our separate ways.
​However, I can't simply ignore his insults. My blood is boiling like never before; Leo has become the only person capable of making me lose my temper in three seconds. This whole mess needs to end right here, right now. My patience has reached its absolute limit, and I decide to hit him where it hurts the most.
​"I have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, and you know it perfectly well. If I were you, I'd take a good look in the mirror before talking. I already told you everything there was to say days ago: let me go. I am free to do whatever I want, and you are no one to tell me what to do anymore. It's over."
"How long has this been going on?!" he snarls, taking deep, jagged breaths as if he's running out of oxygen.
Despite everything, seeing him like this makes my heart ache, but the pain he caused me is too great. The sooner we get away from each other, the better. I don't want any more trouble lurking around the corner.
​"Are you seriously implying that I cheated on you with Nick? Tell me you're joking!" I snap, pacing back and forth in an attempt to calm myself down.
Leo bolts up from the hammock until he's right in my face. He won't hurt me-the other day he just let desperation get the better of him-but his expression now says otherwise. I gasp in fear and take a step back. Stay away from me.
He notices my reaction and, seemingly desperate, he backs away a few steps. We look into each other's eyes, but his gaze is vacant-no reaction. After a few seconds, he starts stuttering nonsense.
​"I-I'm sorry, I didn't want to scare you. It's only natural that I'd think this! People tell me they already see you out with another guy-how am I supposed to react?"
"YOU?! Did you ever ask yourself what I thought when I found you naked with another girl?! How was I supposed to react? I was a wreck for days; I was throwing up, I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, and I kept having the same nightmares..."
"Same nightmares?" he murmurs, his eyes locked onto mine.
No. Not him too.
"You don't need to know anything. End of discussion," I reply coldly, cutting him off to avoid the subject. No one must know.
"But what are you-"
"I said end of discussion. Is that clear?" I snap, raising my voice.
​He shakes his head, confused, but luckily decides to drop it. "Do you love him?"
What? I stare at him, not understanding what he's really asking me.
"Do you love him more than me?"
Nick... he has no right to ask me that. Not anymore. But I'll do anything to get him out of my sight.
"I don't love anyone. Nick was there for me when you were destroying me, and the rest is none of your business. Now please leave; don't make things even more pathetic."
"You... you don't love me anymore?"
Tears begin to stream down his face, and I don't know what to do. I am no longer his Emma; the girl who allowed him everything is dead, and he will never see her again. It's time to give him the raw, cold truth.
​"No. It's over, Leo. I'm leaving New York and we will never see each other again. This is where it ends."
"You know I'll come to London if I have to, right?"
Oh god, how does he know? Who told him?
"Everyone knows by now, Emma! I find out everything when it comes to you."
Of course. As if I could do anything without all of New York knowing. You in London? Never.
"I don't care what you do. This is the last time we see each other. Goodbye, Leo."
​I turn on my heel to avoid the goodbyes and this embarrassing situation, but he stops me. In an instant, he spins me around and presses his lips against mine before I even have time to react. I try to pull away, to push him off, but I can't; he holds my head steady with his strong hands. His tongue forces its way into my mouth without permission. His lips move frantically, but mine remain still. I'm petrified with disgust.
"Please..." he begs between kisses.
No. No. NO!
​"Leo, get off me!" I finally manage to hiss, pushing my hands against his chest.
I think of him, of Sasha, the pain of these past few days, and his obsessive behavior. I can't do this.
"Leo, enough!" I scream, breaking free and running toward the house.
He is devastated. He tries to take another step toward me, but I glare at him with pure hatred. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, wanting to erase this moment and his taste from my mind forever.
"Leave."
"I..."
"Vanish from my life. Now!"
​He finally leaves, his face drenched in tears, but it doesn't affect me anymore. Enough is enough. I don't even have a second to catch my breath before my phone rings. A message from Aria.

​How are you? Feeling better? Actually, don't tell me-tell me everything over coffee. The Penrose in 10 minutes? ;)

​When did she get my number? I must have given it to her while I was drunk. Well, it's a great idea... I need a distraction. I grab my bag and head toward the café to meet my new friend.